But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city's most famous citizens, four regular people are each searching for something they've lost. influencers in the know since 1933. Why was it important for the librarians to continue to spread the love of reading during the war? *If you are new here, WELCOME! Because of this, I cant quite give it 5 stars. Well, in terms of the American Library in Paris (The Paris Library of the title), there is. For those of you who arent aware, Im an avid reader of historical fiction, and as such, Ive read plenty of WWII historical novels, particularly those set in Occupied Paris. As the war proceeds and the Nazis take over the city, she fears for her twin brother, who has been captured by the Germans, places herself in danger by transporting books to Jewish patrons who are forbidden to visit the library, and begins to question some of her boyfriend's actions. In 1939, idealistic, courageous, and ambitious Odile Souchet works at the American Library in Paris when the Nazis arrive. There is a love story, a mystery, the pattern of history repeating. After a scold at the Library informs on Professor Cohen, its Paul who arrests her. With a new job and a new love, Odiles future looks bright. Stephanie I think you see a gradual change in Paul as the war dragged on. Odile begins a romance with Paul and thinks she has it all. ISBN-13: 9781250307187 Summary One day in the City of Light. In a Disney-ian twist, things work out in the end, but not before they change the course of the plot and the readers affinity for the characters. Structurally, the novel sometimes sags: Charles tends to move into the points of view of secondary characters, which leads to some repetition. Both Odiles father and Paul are working under the Nazis direction. The girls sounded bratty, the prose almost juvenile. How might Lilys life have been different without Odile? Have you read The Paris Library? One character is a link in both, a French woman who emigrates at the wars end and spends the rest of her life in Montana. Margaret, an English woman in a loveless marriage, finds a home at the Library and begins a friendship with Odile. Miss Reeder, an American, vows to stay in Paris to direct the Library but must leave when Americas entry into the war becomes imminent. Having learned the French language from Odile, Lily has become a Francophile and decides that she will head to the American Library upon her arrival. In THE PARIS LIBRARY, the beloved library, its staff, and its subscribers come to life and remind us of both the horrors of World War II and the vital role books play in keeping us afloat in difficult times. The book also made it clear in the beginning, his disgust with women who snuggled up to Nazis. One day in the City of Light. On that note, Ive provided book club questions and a delicious food ideas for The Paris Library, so if you are looking for book club ideas and more, keep reading! Your email address will not be published. GENERAL FICTION, by Although Lily doesnt know it, Odile is about to kill herself when Lily knocks on her door the first time. I love to read and review various genres with a focus on contemporary fiction, historical fiction with some mysteries/thrillers and also select nonfiction and memoirs. I completely agree! Magazine Subscribers (How to Find Your Reader Number), Worth the Wait: New Fiction From 6 Favorites, Hang the Moon Will Be Adapted for TV Series. Lilys crush on a boy in her junior high school cant compete with the Gestapo arresting one of Odiles best friends. The Paris Library. When Lily's mother becomes ill, Lily grows close to her previously frosty next-door neighbor Odile, who moved to Montana as a bride immediately after the war ended. Strong and kind women, such as Professor Cohen of the Sorbonne and Library Directress Miss Reeder, are role models for Odile. Given her love of books and enchantment with the Dewey Decimal System, Odile seeks and secures a job at the American Library in Paris in the months before World War II. I hope that these elements will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of The Paris Library. She freezes; its an image of a book she hasnt seen in sixty-five yearsa book she recognizes asThe Book of Lost Names. For Lilys high school graduation, Odile gives her a plane ticket to Paris. In 1939, Odile Souchet, the daughter of the captain of a police precinct, has just finished library school. After all, she loves to read, speaks fluent English, and has memorized the Dewey Decimal system for cataloguing library books. In 1939, Odile Souchet, the daughter of the captain of a police precinct, has just finished library school. Janet Skeslien Charles is the award-winning author of Moonlight in Odessa and The Paris Library. I was more interested in the WWII eraIll get into that more below. The Paris Library is a dual-timeline story of family, friendship, resistance, romance, betrayal, heroism, bravery, and books. Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet seems to have the perfect life with her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. The answers unspool in this well-plotted and richly populated novel, primarily through Odiles and Lilys alternating, first-person narrations. PARIS, 1939 Odile Souchet is obsessed with books, and her new job at the American Library in Paris - with its thriving community of students, writers and book lovers - is a dream come true. Lets talk about the friendship between Odile and Lilywhat did they both learn from each other? Her story is juxtaposed with that of a teenager named Lily who, in 1983, lives in a small rural town in Montana. RELEASE DATE: March 28, 2023. How does this go back to the quote from Lilys mother (question #2)? However, for The Paris Library, there was plenty of food mentioned, partly due to the fact that the story is dual-timeline. I literally shook my head at it. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. The Paris Library combines a love of literature with an inspirational tale of ordinary people standing up to fight injustice. Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet seems to have the perfect life with her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. Young Odile is independent and headstrong. But the rest is certainly worthy. And Ashley is a young, very-much-in-love bakery owner specializing in muffins who devotes herself to giving back to the community through a nonprofit that helps community members develop skills and find jobs. Then, what seems like a small conflict elsewhere, suddenly escalates into war. Rogers fiance. A little more drama would have made the Nazi horrorsand Odiles dilemmas--more vivid. When war breaks out, the Nazis are soon in Paris. (An awkward luncheon with a would-be suitor? A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we arefamily, friends, and favorite authorsThe Paris Libraryshows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places. The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War IIan experience Eva remembers welland the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. His discontent was seen as he was required to direct traffic and when he was forced to clean up slurs painted on Nazi posters. Meanwhile, in 1980s Montana, Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape the small town she lives in, as she balances mourning for her late mother, her relationship with her fathers new wife and her misunderstood passion for the written word. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles . And there is no mention of him at all at the end of the book. The book also made it clear in the beginning, his disgust with women who snuggled up to Nazi's. Hearing her detail what she loved most made me realize that I loved those things, too. Director, American Library. Thats not to say that schoolgirl crushes and adjusting to the woman her father marries after her mother dies arent valid storylines, but can they really hold a candle to the Gestapo arresting one of Odiles best friends? Unsurprisingly, Odiles life is much more interesting than Lilys. This role is especially crucial in the difficult conditions of occupied Paris, where food is increasingly scarce, and the arrest of Jewish citizens and enemy aliens is a constant threat. Required fields are marked *. [I'm wondering about what happened to the character of Paul? The witty and idealistic Odile is someone I imagine I would have been friends with. Inevitably, Odiles story is more engrossing. Theyre all here, and theyre universal, nest-ce pas? Honestly, at times I wondered if Id stumbled onto a YA novel. For more on this award-winning author, visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Janet-Skeslien-Charles/164282829. Fellow employees and clients of the private lending library are her closest confidantes, and she feels a frisson of pride at violating Nazi edicts, as she packs books to send to British and Jewish colleagues who are banned from the library building. In many ways, this story really is a love letter to bookworms. Margaret blames her for divulging the secret and never wants to see her again. Meticulously researched, moving and utterly enchanting, The Paris Library is a heart-breaking and uplifting story that is an absolute must-read for book lovers and fans of historical fiction. It is 1939, and Odile Souchet has just returned to Paris after completing library school. There is an element of predictability in Janet Skeslien Charles The Paris Library from the get-go it doesnt take Sherlock Holmes to figure out what might happen at the end of the book, but I do not say this in a critical manner. The interview with Miss Reeder, the Directress, begins well, but Odile falters when asked her reasons for wanting to work at the Library. Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. Family intrigue plays out against the backdrop of 1920s Claiborne County, where racism is a given, Prohibition is the law, and bootlegging is the main source of income for Blacks and Whites. The Paris Library: A Novel Hardcover - February 9, 2021 by Janet Skeslien Charles (Author) 20,410 ratings Editors' pick Best Literature & Fiction See all formats and editions Kindle $13.99 Read with Our Free App Audiobook $0.00 Free with your Audible trial Hardcover $25.46 90 Used from $1.80 15 New from $16.90 3 Collectible from $37.67 Paperback Reeling from the loss of her mother and her father's remarriage, Lily finds herself adrift: overlooked at school, out of place at home. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is another engaging WWII historical fiction novel. "The Paris Library is a refreshing novel that celebrates libraries as cradles of community, especially when we need them the most. As Odile describes some of them to a dying American soldier whom shes tending: Theres an Englishmanimagine a crane wearing a paisley bow tie. Hard Times. Librarian at the American Library. Its a community of the intellectually curious as well as English speakers looking for a home in Paris. The author has actually worked there in recent years and learned first-hand about the efforts of librarians and volunteers not only to keep it open during the German occupation of Paris, but to smuggle books to Jews and to allied forces on the front. Were glad you found a book that interests you! The novela New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today bestselleris one of five finalists for the 2021 American Library in Paris Book Award. Review: The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, Q&A with Kaira Rouda, Author of The Next Wife. Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. This 1954 classic by a precocious 18-year-old takes us to the sun-drenched Riviera, where lazy and selfish 17-year-old Ccile is holidaying with her widowed father and his latest girlfriend. How did you feel about a younger Lily contrasted with a more mature Odile? You can order the book on Amazon here. Angry, Odile briefly cuts Lily out of her life but eventually forgives her. I know the war changes people, but wasn't this a bit extreme? What role did her unfaithful husband play, and what was he not telling investigators? Movie star in the 40's. Bouquiniste - booksellers along the Seine River in Paris. But the twist, agh, the twist was just so bizarre. In any event, there is plenty to discuss about The Paris Library and who doesnt love a WWII novel? Enter your email to receive Bookclubs' newsletter with reading recommendations and the most popular book club books each month. This article first appeared on July26, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia. How would this have changed your reading? When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. British literature.). Fellow employees and clients of the private lending library are her closest confidants. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | It was intriguing to read about a different type of heroismkeeping the love of reading alive among the hardships of war. Halfway through the book, I would have rated it barely 3 stars. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. Options is the award-winning lifestyle pullout of The Edge Malaysia, the countrys premier business and investment weekly publication. Among those who do is Rmy, whoto his familys horrorjoins the French army. I feel like there were so many other ways the author could have taken the story for why Odile ran away from Paris. There are public reading rooms, an innovation in French reference libraries, but French people have never developed the habit of using public libraries. A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we arefamily, friends, and favorite authorsThe Paris Libraryshows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places. Book Reading, Writing, and Literature . Categories: I really enjoyed The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict and highly recommend you all read it! Its a city I truly love and reading this was a balm for my travel-deprived senses, reliving the City of Lights, even if it was in the pre-war years of the 1940s. In what ways were they similar? The Paris Library is a historical fiction novel based on the true WWII story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris. Later, Odile returns to her fathers office twice to steal some of these letters and spare a few people. Few in Paris recognize the looming threat of war. After living in Paris, how could she settle for this dull dot on the plains? wonders Lily Jacobsen, the seventh grader who lives next door. The novel is a dual timeline story and the second timeline follows Lily, a young girl in 1980s Montana who is now the neighbor of Odile Souchet. An impromptu celebration on the beach at sunset with champagne becomes a weekly touchpoint to their lives as they learn more about each other and themselves. Did this surprise you? Her shorter work has appeared in revues such as Slice and Montana Noir. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes. Still, Odile harbors jealousy toward Margaret for her wealthand resents her criticisms of the French army. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Janet Skeslien Charles is an award-winning author with over a decade's worth of roaming the streets of Paris and researching in its libraries. He was doing the Nazi's dirty work. I think he snapped more out of guilt than anything else. Its free and takes less than 10 seconds! First Edition. In the first, book-obsessed teenager Odile Souchet tackles her new job at the ALP amid a thriving community of students, writers and avid readers. Looming war with Germany? What are some similar books youve read? It has been called a coming of age book, but in many regards, it is more. Additionally, Odile motivates Lily to stand up for herself and insist on achieving her goal to attend college. Together, in ways they least expect it, Odile and Lily will help each other conquer old fears, forgive past sins, and embrace the future. The voices just werent right. The Paris Library is superbly researched and has a plot twist at the end that I didnt expect. Todays topic: Prousts madeleine, should it have been a croissant?, A post shared by Atria Books (@atriabooks). In her second novel, The Paris Library, Janet Skeslien Charles ( Moonlight in Odessa) weaves Odile's story together with that of 14-year-old Lily Jacobsen, growing up in Montana in the mid-1980s. If you'd like me to review your book, contact me! She's memorized the Dewey Decimal system. What did you think? The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. I also loved all of the mentions of Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God in the novel, a personal favorite of mine! Apartment building concierge. Books connect a middle-aged ex-librarian and a schoolgirl, both of whomlong for similar things (Photo: Atria Books). Based on a true World War II story about the heroic librarians of the American Library in Paris (ALP), this book tells an unforgettable tale of romance, friendship and family in the most unusual of situations. In a moment of anger, Odile reveals Margarets secret to Paul but immediately regrets doing so. RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021. Paris. British literature. GENERAL FICTION, by Fran Hawthorne is an award-winning novelist and nonfiction author. So how does Odile end up in the tiny town of Froid, Montana, some four decades later, a widow and near-recluse? Hope you enjoyed book club questions for The Paris Library! by Professor Cohen, who is Jewish, is another who sees war coming. However, he forbids Jewish subscribers from entry. But I also saw The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles made it on there as well. One night in search of lost time. Through her, we see how the war affected citizens of Paris and those who stayed through the Nazi occupation of France.The Paris Library, (Also, can we just stop and appreciate how beautiful the cover of this book is?). Intellectually curious and socially awkward at times, Lily reminds Odile of her younger self. Three woman who join together to rent a large space along the beach in Los Angeles for their storesa gift shop, a bakery, and a bookstorebecome fast friends as they each experience the highs, and lows, of love. Chapter 3 - Paul comes to lunch - aperitif of sherry and vermouth, potato-leek soup, pork roast and rosemary . The Paris Library is superbly researched and has a plot twist at the end that I didn't expect. Duke Kincaid owns most of Claiborne County, both financially and politically. Schwab, Q&A with Hannah Richell, Author of The River Home, Book Club Questions for The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle, Book Club Questions for The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dar, 10 Book Club Books to Read in Summer 2023, Book Club Questions for Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Review: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Book Club Questions for The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes, Book Club Questions for Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, (Updated April 2023) Reeses Book Club Picks: Entire List, Book Club Questions for Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Book Club Questions for Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. And the sound of masticating between sentences? The American Library in Paris was able to stay open throughout the war. Margaret, an English woman in a loveless marriage, finds a home at the Library and begins a friendship with Odile. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. 841. 2018 The Edge Communications Sdn. My novel, The Paris Library, tells the true tale of the international team of librarians who defied the Nazis in order to hand-deliver books to Jewish readers. Following Odile in her new job at the American Library in Paris, the novel offers a unique and refreshing take on the events of WWII, as seen through the lens of the library, its staff and subscribers. As I mentioned in the intro, recipes for books about World War II are often a challenge since most countries faced rations, if not starvation. Janet Skeslien Charles. While the novel is filled with gorgeous settings and a delightful cast of characters some of whom actually existed in real life what I loved the most about The Paris Library is the way it celebrates the power of books, libraries and storytelling. Lily helps Odile overcome her guilt and regain a sense of belonging with others. When Charles worked there in 2010, she was captivated by the story of. The totality of the ALPs anti-Nazi efforts seems to involve delivering books. Do you think it was harder for Odile to forgive herself than it was for Margaret to forgive her? Were you surprised to learn what Odile was doing the day that Lily barged in to ask about her report on France? Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. By some bizarre twist of fate, a much older Odile winds up living next door to Lily, and the two form an unlikely but mutually beneficial friendship Lily gains much from Odiles well-stocked bookshelves while Odile finds renewed purpose in guiding the young girl. And his French friend a walrus with a bushy moustache. HISTORICAL FICTION | An awkward luncheon with a would-be suitor? Is there anything new here? Based on the true World War. Even beyond the wartime drama, her ALP communitymany of them true historical figuresare a wonderfully colorful lot. Here are a few food ideas from the pages of The Paris Library: If you are reading this during the fall or winter, I think it would be lovely to try and make the leek and potato soup that is mentioned more than once. Ask the Author. Your email address will not be published. You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Odile personally delivers books to Professor Cohen. Eleven days later, she reappears, just as mysteriously as she disappeared, claiming amnesia and providing no explanations for her time away. Perhaps because of that, I avoid books about this time, though there have certainly been a plethora of them in recent years. And, because Odile isnt Jewish and has some connected friends, she sometimes partakes in black market dishes even during the war. Her newest novel,I Meant to Tell You, was published in November 2022 by Stephen F. Austin State University Press. The authors affection for both Paris and the ALP, where she worked as a programme manager in 2010, comes through beautifully as she integrates the stories of many of the real-life employees and patrons of the library into the story with finesse. There she meets a young woman who is the same age she was during the war and who badly needs a life coach. Lilys mother tells her People dont always know what to do or say. There are many wonderful things about this book, not the least being the settings, which are as well painted and written as the rest. I love to read and review various genres with a focus on contemporary fiction, historical fiction with some mysteries/thrillers and also select nonfiction and memoirs. Just as Odile told Margarets secret so many years ago, Lily almost told Mary Louises boyfriend about an affair that Mary Louise had. Profoundly influenced by her mothers disowning of beloved Aunt Carowho divorced for good reasonOdile is determined to not depend on men for financial security. How did you feel about the format? GENERAL FICTION, by The Book of Lost Names revolved around a female document forger. Margaret is eventually attacked by Paul and when Odile learns the truthshe leaves behind Paris forever to marry an American. View my Affiliate Disclosure page here. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Malaysian fantasy writer Zen Cho lands multiple awards by breaking frontiers, Poojitha Menons first solo sculptural exhibition Talking Heads chronicles her journey into clay, Sneakertopia at Singapores ArtScience Museum shows how street art drives interest in sneakers, Malachi Edwin Vethamani keeps poetry alive by giving voice to things others may not care about, HSBC Malaysias mosaic lions find new home at Tun Razak Exchange KL. For The Paris Library, I provide your book club with a brief summary, food ideas, and discussion questions in that order!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'bookclubbites_com-box-3','ezslot_6',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bookclubbites_com-box-3-0'); If you are a fan of WWII fiction, then you know that in the last few years there has been a boom of great historical novels from the time period that feature unique aspects of the war.
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